California, Ohio, and Texas are slated to receive grant funds totaling $1.3 million through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to address open recalls.
State motor vehicle departments would use the funds to inform vehicle owners of recall information by utilizing vehicle registration and other contact points.
“The U.S. Department of Transportation is proud to work with these three states on this commonsense solution to help drivers find and repair unremedied vehicles on American roadways,” Acting Transportation Secretary Steven Bradbury said.
California registers over 36 million vehicles annually, Ohio registers more than 12 million vehicles. Texas conducts 18 million safety inspections per year. The recall notice the state motor vehicle departments are slated to provide to consumers would include a brief description of the defect, the nature of the recall, and information on getting it fixed immediately at a manufacturer’s authorized dealer. Consideration of recall notification during driver’s license renewal, emissions checks, or safety inspections has also been encouraged, per officials.
“Getting a vehicle recall repaired could save your life – or the life of someone you love,” NHTSA Deputy Administrator James Owens said. “We’ve seen remarkable success with this program in Maryland, and we are pleased to be able to expand it to three more states.”
The NHTSA estimates 25 percent of recalled vehicles go unrepaired despite recall notices and public warnings. Vehicle recalls are serious, can pose a safety risk to drivers and their families, and all vehicle recall repairs are addressed at the vehicle brand’s dealership without charge.